Key Takeaways

• After a sharp decline to $80,000, Bitcoin has rebounded to $95,000, leading today’s cryptocurrency market press review as of 18 December 2025.
• Significant volatility persists, with total market capitalization dropping 36% from its $4.27 trillion peak.
• Top story: Bitcoin climbing back to $95,000 signals a partial market recovery.
• New XRP ETFs have attracted nearly $1 billion in investment despite the overall market downturn.
• The Senate’s postponement of a crypto regulation hearing has extended uncertainty for investors and projects.
• Participation in the cryptocurrency market continues to grow, with newcomers seeking clarity and trusted information.

Introduction

On 18 December 2025, Bitcoin’s rapid rebound to $95,000 after a plunge to $80,000 tops today’s cryptocurrency market press review. This highlights a partial recovery amid ongoing volatility. While overall market capitalization has fallen 36%, sustained interest in new XRP ETFs demonstrates continued investor engagement despite shifting conditions.

Top Story: Bitcoin Surges to $95,000

Rapid market rebound

Bitcoin surged past $95,000 today, marking a notable recovery from its recent drop to $80,000 two weeks ago. The 18.75% increase is one of the strongest rebounds of 2025. Trading volumes surpassed $12 billion across major exchanges in the past 24 hours. This recovery follows improving macroeconomic conditions and easing concerns about regulatory crackdowns. Both had previously dampened market sentiment.

Institutional drivers

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF recorded $2.1 billion in inflows over the past week, indicating renewed institutional confidence. Michael Johnson, Chief Investment Officer at Granite Investments, stated that sophisticated investors used the recent dip as a strategic entry point. In addition, several Fortune 500 companies disclosed further Bitcoin treasury allocations in their quarterly filings, continuing a trend of corporate adoption that began in 2021.

Market sentiment shift

Analysts suggest the recovery reflects a significant structural shift in how investors perceive cryptocurrency amid economic uncertainty. The Fear and Greed Index moved from “Extreme Fear” to “Greed” within ten days. This was one of the fastest sentiment reversals in the index’s history. On-chain metrics show long-term holders maintained positions through the downturn, with over 65% of Bitcoin’s supply remaining unmoved despite volatility.

Technical outlook

Trading patterns indicate strong support at the $88,000 level, with resistance now emerging around $98,500. Sarah Chen, a cryptocurrency analyst at MarketScope Research, noted that the clearance of several key technical levels could provide momentum for Bitcoin to challenge the $100,000 psychological barrier before year-end. The upcoming Federal Reserve meeting on 22 December 2025 is expected to provide greater clarity on monetary policy, which may further influence market direction.

Also Today: Regulatory Developments

EU finalizes comprehensive crypto framework

The European Parliament formally adopted the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) implementation guidelines on 17 December 2025. This establishes the world’s most comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. These guidelines clarify compliance requirements for crypto businesses operating within the EU’s 27 member states, with emphasis on consumer protection and operational resilience. Implementation deadlines are set for March 2026, offering companies a 15-month transition period.

SEC approves additional Ethereum ETFs

The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved three additional spot Ethereum ETF applications from Fidelity, Invesco, and VanEck. These products are expected to begin trading on major U.S. exchanges by 15 January 2026. This decision follows positive performance metrics from the initial wave of Ethereum ETFs launched earlier this year, which collectively accumulated over $7 billion in assets under management.

Singapore expands crypto licensing program

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) granted operational licenses to 12 more cryptocurrency exchanges, bringing the total number of fully regulated platforms in the country to 27. This development strengthens Singapore’s position as Asia’s leading cryptocurrency hub. MAS Chairman Lee Wei Ling stated that the regulatory approach aims to create a controlled environment supporting both innovation and consumer protection.

Also Today: Technology Advancements

Ethereum Layer-2 solutions gain traction

Optimism and Arbitrum, two leading Ethereum scaling solutions, have reported a combined 215% increase in daily active users since September 2025. Transaction fees on these Layer-2 networks remain 95% lower than Ethereum’s main chain, while security guarantees are maintained. Multiple major decentralized finance protocols have announced plans to deploy exclusively on Layer-2 solutions in 2026. This highlights shifts in Ethereum’s ecosystem structure.

Cross-chain bridge security improvements

A coalition of blockchain security firms has introduced a new security standard for cross-chain bridges, addressing vulnerabilities that caused over $2.5 billion in losses in the past two years. The Cross-Chain Security Alliance, which includes Chainalysis, SlowMist, and Trail of Bits, has developed a comprehensive auditing and real-time monitoring framework for bridge protocols. Six major cross-chain bridges have committed to adopting these standards by February 2026.

Mining industry pivots to sustainable energy

Major Bitcoin mining operators have pledged to achieve 75% renewable energy usage by mid-2026 in response to environmental concerns and regulatory pressure. The Bitcoin Mining Council reports that sustainable energy sources now power approximately 59.5% of the network, up from 46% at the beginning of 2025. Nuclear and geothermal energy partnerships are increasing, with three new mining facilities recently established near nuclear plants in Tennessee, Ohio, and Sweden.

Market Wrap

Cryptocurrency performance overview

Total cryptocurrency market capitalization reached $3.2 trillion today, recovering $500 billion lost during November’s correction. Ethereum gained 12.3% to reach $6,200, following Bitcoin’s upward momentum, while Solana surged 19.8% to $345 after announcing a partnership with a global payment processor. Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies underperformed, with Monero and Zcash up 4.6% and 5.3% respectively.

DeFi sector rebounds

Decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens outperformed the broader market, with the DeFi Index climbing 22.7% over the past week. Uniswap’s governance token (UNI) led gains with a 31.5% increase after recording record monthly trading volumes over $76 billion. Lending platforms Aave and Compound saw their tokens rise by 25.8% and 23.2% respectively. This reflects heightened activity as traders positioned for potential year-end rallies.

NFT market stabilizes

The non-fungible token (NFT) market has shown signs of stabilization after months of declining volumes, with weekly trading activity increasing 14.3% on major marketplaces. The Bored Ape Yacht Club floor price recovered to 65 ETH, up 18% from its November low. Gaming-related NFT collections performed strongly, with Axie Infinity and Illuvium assets appreciating by 29.7% and 26.3% following user growth announcements.

What to Watch

• Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting (22 December 2025): Expected to provide guidance on interest rates that could impact cryptocurrency markets.
• Ethereum Shanghai Upgrade (5 January 2026): Major protocol update introducing validator withdrawals and network efficiency improvements.
• Binance quarterly token burn (15 January 2026): The exchange will conduct its regular BNB burn, potentially impacting BNB price and market activity.
• Bitcoin Mining Conference in Austin, Texas (18-20 January 2026): Industry leaders are scheduled to discuss sustainability and technology advancements.
• MicroStrategy Q4 earnings report (28 January 2026): Will provide updates on the company’s Bitcoin holdings and corporate treasury strategy.
• EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) implementation milestone (1 February 2026): First phase of compliance requirements takes effect for service providers.

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s rebound to $95,000 marks a significant turnaround for the cryptocurrency market, with institutional interest and regulatory developments shaping broader sentiment. While volatility and changing rules drive ongoing caution, core crypto assets and DeFi sectors demonstrate continuing adaptation. What to watch: Upcoming policy meetings, protocol upgrades, and regulatory deadlines will offer further guidance for investors and industry participants in the weeks ahead. For a deeper understanding of psychological factors influencing these markets, see our Mindset & Psychology guide.